Algorithm for real-time process control of electro-polishing

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for process control of electro-processes. The method includes electro-processing a wafer by the application of two or more biases and determining an amount of charge removed as a result of each bias, separately. In one embodiment, an endpoint is determined for each bias when the amount of charge removed for a bias substantially equals a respective target charge calculated for the bias.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/456,851 filed on Jun. 6, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/244,688, filed Sep. 16, 2002, entitled PROCESS CONTROL IN ELECTROCHEMICALLY ASSISTED PLANARIZATION, now U.S. Pat. No. 6, 848,970 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/391,324, filed Mar. 18, 2003, entitled PROCESS CONTROL IN ELECTRO-CHEMICAL MECHANICAL POLISHING. Each of the aforementioned related patent applications is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to polishing, planarization, plating and combinations thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to the monitoring and control of electro-processing, polishing and plating.

2. Description of the Related Art

Sub-quarter micron multi-level metallization is one of the key technologies for the next generation of ultra large-scale integration (ULSI). The multilevel interconnects that lie at the heart of this technology require planarization of interconnect features formed in high aspect ratio apertures, including contacts, vias, trenches and other features. Reliable formation of these interconnect features is very important to the success of ULSI and to the continued effort to increase circuit density and quality on individual wafers and die.

In the fabrication of integrated circuits and other electronic devices, multiple layers of conducting, semiconducting, and dielectric materials are deposited on or removed from a surface of a wafer. Thin layers of conducting, semiconducting, and dielectric materials may be deposited by a number of deposition techniques. Common deposition techniques in modern processing include physical vapor deposition (PVD), also known as sputtering, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), and electrochemical plating (ECP).

As layers of materials are sequentially deposited and removed, the uppermost surface of the wafer may become non-planar across its surface and require planarization. An example of a non-planar process is the deposition of copper films with the ECP process in which the copper topography simply follows the already existing non-planar topography of the wafer surface, especially for lines wider than 10 microns. Planarizing a surface, or “polishing” a surface, is a process where material is removed from the surface of the wafer to form a generally even, planar surface. Planarization is useful in removing undesired surface topography and surface defects, such as rough surfaces, agglomerated materials, crystal lattice damage, scratches, and contaminated layers or materials. Planarization is also useful in forming features on a wafer by removing excess deposited material used to fill the features and to provide an even surface for subsequent levels of metallization and processing.

Chemical Mechanical Planarization, or Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP), is a common technique used to planarize wafers. CMP utilizes a chemical composition, typically a slurry or other fluid medium, for selective removal of materials from wafers. In conventional CMP techniques, a wafer carrier or polishing head is mounted on a carrier assembly and positioned in contact with a polishing pad in a CMP apparatus. The carrier assembly provides a controllable pressure to the wafer, thereby pressing the wafer against the polishing pad. The pad is moved relative to the wafer by an external driving force. The CMP apparatus affects polishing or rubbing movements between the surface of the wafer and the polishing pad while dispersing a polishing composition to affect chemical activities and/or mechanical activities and consequential removal of materials from the surface of the wafer.

Another planarization technique is Electro Chemical Mechanical Polishing (ECMP). ECMP techniques remove conductive materials from a wafer surface by electrochemical dissolution while concurrently polishing the wafer with reduced mechanical abrasion compared to conventional CMP processes. The electrochemical dissolution is performed by applying a bias between a cathode and a wafer surface to remove conductive materials from the wafer surface into a surrounding electrolyte. Typically, the bias is applied by a ring of conductive contacts to the wafer surface in a wafer support device, such as a wafer carrier head. Mechanical abrasion is performed by positioning the wafer in contact with conventional polishing pads and providing relative motion there between.

An objective of polishing is to remove a predictable amount of material to achieve a desired profile. Accordingly, any polishing technique requires an endpoint detection to determine when the appropriate amount of material has been removed for various regions of the wafer. However, the progress of the polishing operation is not easily viewable because of the contact between the wafer and the pad.

In addition, variations in the polishing conditions impede an accurate determination of the polishing endpoint. Variations in the slurry/electrolyte composition, pad condition, relative speed between the pad and the wafer, and the load of the wafer on the pad, etc, cause variations in the material removal rate, which change the time needed to reach the polishing endpoint. Therefore, the polishing endpoint cannot be estimated merely as a function of polishing time.

One approach to predict the polishing endpoint is to remove the wafer from the polishing apparatus and measure the thickness of the remaining film on the wafer. Doing so periodically during polishing, the quantity of material being removed from the wafer may be determined. As such, a linear approximation of the material removal rate may be used to determine the polishing endpoint. However, this method is time consuming, and does not account for sudden changes in the removal rate that may occur between measurement intervals.

Several non-invasive methods of endpoint detection are known. One type of endpoint detection typically requires access to at least a portion of the wafer surface being polished, such as by sliding a portion of the wafer over the edge of the polishing pad or through a window in the pad, and simultaneously analyzing the exposed portion of the wafer. For example, where polishing is used to expose metal lines embedded in a dielectric layer, the overall or composite reflectivity of the surface being polished changes as the lines are exposed. By monitoring the reflectivity of the polished surface or the wavelength of light reflected from the surface, the exposure of the lines through the dielectric layer, and thus the polishing endpoint, can be detected. However, this method does not provide a way of determining the polishing endpoint unless an underlying layer is exposed during polishing. Additionally, this approach is somewhat erratic in predicting the polishing endpoint unless all of the underlying lines are simultaneously exposed. Furthermore, the detection apparatus is delicate and subject to frequent breakdown caused by the exposure of the measuring or detecting apparatus to the slurry or electrolytic fluid.

A second type of method for determining the polishing endpoint monitors various process parameters, and indicates an endpoint when one or more of the parameters abruptly change. For example, the coefficient of friction at the interface of the polishing pad and the wafer is a function of the surface condition of the wafer. Where an underlying material different from the film being polished is exposed, the coefficient of friction will change also. This affects the torque necessary to provide the desired polishing pad speed. By monitoring this change, the endpoint may be detected.

In an ideal system, where no parameter other than the wafer surface changes, process parameter endpoint detection is acceptable. However, as the wafer is being polished, the pad condition and the slurry/electrolyte composition at the pad-wafer interface also change. Such changes may mask the exposure of the underlying metal layer, or they may imitate an endpoint condition, leading to a premature stop of polishing.

Finally, ECMP presents a chemically, electrically and physically unique environment, with respect to conventional CMP. Thus, while the endpoint detection techniques (including those described above) exist for CMP, the techniques may not be readily extendible to ECMP. Even where the techniques are extendible to ECMP, doing so may require retrofitting existing processing systems with expensive equipment. A preferred approach would mitigate or avoid the challenges with retrofitting existing systems.

Therefore, there is a need for polishing control, and in particular there is a need for endpoint detection, which accurately and reliably determines when to cease polishing during electro-processing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, embodiments are relating to process control of electro-processing. Some aspects of the invention are generally directed to determining removal of material from a wafer during polishing and to determining an endpoint of a polishing cycle. Other aspects are directed to determining target charge values for a plurality of electrode zones (e.g., two or more) which can be independently biased.

One embodiment provides a method for producing a desired profile on a wafer by electro-processing. The method includes determining, for the wafer, a removal profile in order to obtain the desired profile; applying a first bias to the wafer by a first electrode; applying a second bias to the wafer by a second electrode, the second bias being different from the first bias; electro-processing the wafer under the influence of the first and second bias to selectively change a thickness of a conductive material of the wafer; determining an amount of charge removed from the wafer by each electrode; and terminating the electro-processing when the desired profile is substantially achieved according to the determined amount of charge removed.

Another embodiment provides a method for removing a desired amount of material from a wafer by electropolishing. The method includes determining, for the wafer, a desired removal profile in order to obtain a desired profile; electropolishing the wafer to selectively remove different amounts of conductive material from the wafer according to the desired removal profile; determining an amount of charge removed from a plurality of locations on the wafer; determining a thickness of material removed from the wafer for each of the plurality of locations on the basis of each amount of charge removed at each of the plurality of locations; and terminating the electropolishing when the desired removal profile is substantially achieved.

Another embodiment provides a method for determining an endpoint of a polishing cycle for a wafer being processed in a cell body defining an electrolyte-containing volume, wherein the electrolyte-containing volume contains at least electrolyte. The method includes providing at least a first electrode and a second electrode; positioning a wafer in contact with a polishing pad at least partially submersed in the electrolyte; electropolishing one or more conductive materials on the wafer by biasing each of the first and second electrodes at different bias levels to effect different removal rates of material from the wafer; and determining whether the endpoint of the polishing cycle for the wafer is reached. In one embodiment the determining includes determining an amount of charge removed from the wafer by each electrode; and determining whether each amount of charge removed from the wafer by each electrode equals a target charge value for the respective electrode.

Yet another embodiment provides a method of determining removal of material from a plurality of points on a wafer, the removal being effected at least in part by electrochemical activity. The method includes determining trajectories for a plurality of points on a wafer relative to a plurality of electrodes each capable of being separately biased at different bias levels during electro-chemical processing; based on the trajectories, determining an amount of time each of the plurality of points spends being affected by each of the electrodes; based on the trajectories and a predetermined charge-removal relationship relating charge removed to amount of material removed from the wafer, determining an average amount of material removed from the wafer as effected by each of the electrodes; and for each point of the plurality of points on the wafer, calculating an amount of material removed at the point as the sum of the average amounts of material removed from the wafer as effected by each of the electrodes weighted by the corresponding amount of time spent being affected by the respective electrode.

Yet another embodiment provides a method of electro-processing a wafer, the method including providing an electrode assembly comprising at least two separately biased electrodes; providing a process model which relates a charge for each of the electrodes to an amount of material removed at each of a plurality of points on a wafer on the basis of a predetermined trajectory of the plurality of points relative to the electrodes and a predetermined charge-removal relationship which relates charge removed to amount of material removed from the wafer; for a specified desired profile of the wafer, determining a target charge for each electrode according to the process model; moving the wafer relative to the electrodes according to the predetermined trajectory of the plurality of points; and terminating each bias to the respective electrode upon reaching the respective target charge.

Still another embodiment provides a computer readable medium containing a program which, when executed, performs an operation during an electropolishing process occurring for a wafer in contact with a polishing pad at least partially submersed in electrolyte. The operation includes applying a first bias to the wafer by a first electrode; applying a second bias to the wafer by a second electrode, the second bias being different from the first bias; electro-processing the wafer under the influence of the first and second bias to selectively change a thickness of a conductive material of the wafer; determining an amount of charge removed from the wafer by each electrode; and terminating the electro-processing when a desired profile is substantially achieved according to the determined amount of charge removed.

Still another embodiment provides an electro-processing system including a cell body defining an electrolyte-containing volume; an electrode assembly comprising at least two electrodes; at least two corresponding power supplies each electrically connected to one of the at least two electrodes to separately bias the respective electrode; a charge determination unit configured to at least periodically determine an amount of charge removed from the wafer by each of the electrodes based on the current supplied to each of the electrodes over time; and a process control unit configured to detect an endpoint for each of the electrodes, separately, based on whether the amount of charge removed by a given electrode equals a calculated target charge for the given electrode.

Still another embodiment provides an electro-processing system including a cell body defining an electrolyte-containing volume; an electrode assembly comprising at least two electrodes; at least two corresponding power supplies each electrically connected to one of the at least two electrodes to separately bias the respective electrode; a charge determination unit configured to at least periodically determine an amount of charge removed from the wafer by each of the electrodes based on the current supplied to each of the electrodes over time; and a process control unit configured to determine when a desired profile is substantially achieved according to the determined amount of charge removed by each of the electrodes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited embodiments are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description may be had by reference to the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a processing environment having a profile measurement station, an electro-processing platform and a computer for controlling processes performed on the platform.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of an electro-polishing station.

FIG. 3 is a top view of one embodiment of a polishing pad having contact elements disposed therein.

FIG. 4 is top view of one embodiment of an electrode assembly defining a plurality of zones.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional, exploded view of a polishing assembly which includes the polishing pad of FIG. 3 and the electrode assembly of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a process control unit configured for process monitoring and endpoint detection based on charge removed by various zones of the electrode assembly of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 7-10 are graphs illustrating removal profiles for various charge values.

FIG. 11 shows one example of an empirically determined curve relating total charge and material removed.

FIGS. 12-13 are top perspective views of a substrate having a material layer thereon, wherein the material layer may be polished in order to develop a relationship between removal and charge.

FIG. 14 are representative traces of wafer point trajectories relative to electrode zones.

FIG. 15 are representative curves illustrating the percent of time various points on a wafer spent in three separate electrode zones.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides systems and methods for electro-processing wafers. Generally, electro-processing is performed to remove or deposit material on the wafer. Embodiments are provided for determining a profile for a wafer, calculating charge values and detecting an endpoint of an electro-processing cycle. In one embodiment, an electro-processing system is provided with a plurality of power supplies each connected to a different zone of an electrode. The power supplies are independently controlled to provide a desired voltage/current signal to a respective zone. The current is monitored and related to the total removal/deposition of material from a wafer to determine the end point of the process.

The words and phrases used herein should be given their ordinary and customary meaning in the art by one skilled in the art unless otherwise further defined. A wafer refers to a workpiece which is typically disc-shaped, but my be otherwise (e.g., square). The wafer is typically a substrate having one or more layers formed thereon, at least one of which is conductive (typically the upper-most layer). The layer(s) of the wafer may or may not be patterned. Chemical-mechanical polishing should be broadly construed and includes, but is not limited to, abrading a wafer surface (e.g., an upper-most conductive layer) by chemical activities, mechanical activities, or a combination of both chemical and mechanical activities. Electro-processing refers to any process using electrical activity to remove or deposit material on a wafer. Particular examples of electro-processing for removing material from a wafer include electro-polishing, electrochemical mechanical polishing, and electrochemical mechanical plating process. Electro-polishing should be broadly construed and includes, but is not limited to, planarizing a wafer by the application of electrical and/or electrochemical activity and a particular example includes electrochemical mechanical polishing. Electrochemical mechanical polishing (ECMP) should be broadly construed and includes, but is not limited to, planarizing a wafer by the application of electrochemical activity, mechanical activity, or a combination of both electrochemical and mechanical activity to remove materials from a wafer surface. Electrochemical mechanical plating process (ECMPP) should be broadly construed and includes, but is not limited to, electrochemically depositing material on a wafer and concurrently planarizing the deposited material by the application of electrochemical activity, mechanical activity, or a combination of both electrochemical and mechanical activity.

Embodiments of the invention broadly provide for real-time removal monitoring and endpoint detection in a electro-processing system. In general, any of the above-defined techniques may be used, individually or in combination. Further, it is contemplated that polishing and plating may occur simultaneously or alternately. The foregoing embodiments are broadly, collectively characterized as electro-processing. While embodiments are described primarily with reference to a form of electro-polishing, it is understood that the invention is not so limited. Rather, embodiments include any form of the electro-processing. Thus, any reference to particular embodiments of electro-polishing are merely for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 1 depicts wafer processing environment 100. The processing environment 100 includes a profile measurement station 102, an electrochemical mechanical polishing (ECMP) platform 104, a computer 106 and a plurality of power supplies 108A, 108B, . . . 108N (collectively referred to as the power supplies 108). The profile measurement station 102 is generally any device or devices configured to measure profiles of wafers. Exemplary non-contact devices which may be used include iScan and iMap, which scan and map the wafer, respectively. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1, the profile measurement station 102 represents an ex-situ device; that is, profile measurement is performed at a location different from where polishing is performed. However, in situ profile measurement (e.g., on the polishing platform 104) is also contemplated. In either case, the profile measurement station 102 measures a profile of a wafer (referred to as the “initial profile”) and provides this measurement to the computer 106.

The polishing platform 104 may be any apparatus adapted for polishing wafers by electro-processes. One polishing platform that may be adapted to benefit from the invention is a REFLEXTION® chemical mechanical polisher available from Applied Materials, Inc. located in Santa Clara, Calif.

Illustratively, the polishing platform 104 includes a plurality of polishing stations 110A-C. By way of example three polishing stations (P1, P2, P3) are shown. More generally, the polishing platform 104 may include any number of polishing stations (i.e., one or more). The polishing platform 104 may also include other process stations, such as rinse stations.

The processes performed on wafers by the polishing platform 104 are generally controlled by the computer 106. The computer 106 may be representative of, or include, any programmable device configured to carry out embodiments of the invention. Thus, in one embodiment, the computer 106 is representative of a controller or a plurality of controllers configured with code which, when executed, performs polishing operations. In other embodiments, the computer 106 may be characterized as a client computer, a server computer, a portable computer, an embedded controller, a PC-based server, a minicomputer, a midrange computer, a mainframe computer, and other computers adapted to support the methods, apparatus, and article of manufacture of the invention.

To implement desired polishing processes the computer 106 is configured with a process control unit 112. In one embodiment, the process control unit 112 is implemented in software, but may also be implemented in hardware. In either case, the code of the process control unit 112 defines functions of the preferred embodiment and can be contained on a variety of signal-bearing media (or computer readable media). The code (or the instructions implemented by such code) includes, but is not limited to, (i) information permanently stored on non-writable storage media, (e.g., read-only memory devices within a computer such as CD-ROM disks readable by a CD-ROM drive); (ii) alterable information stored on writable storage media (e.g., floppy disks within a diskette drive or hard-disk drive); or (iii) information conveyed to a computer by a communications medium, such as through a computer or telephone network, including wireless communications. The latter embodiment specifically includes information downloaded from the Internet and other networks. Such signal-bearing media, when carrying computer-readable instructions that direct the functions of the present invention, represent embodiments of the present invention.

In various embodiments, the process control unit 112 is capable of profile determination, real-time process monitoring and end point detection. These functions may be performed on the basis of various input, including the initial profile received from the profile measurement station 102. The process control unit 112 then causes the computer 106 to issue control signals 114 to each of the power supplies 108. In response to the control signals 114, the power supplies 108 each issue a separate electrical signal, collectively referred to as the electrical signals 116. Each of the electrical signals 116 provides a current/voltage to a separate one of a plurality of same-polarity electrodes (e.g., two or more) of a given one of the polishing stations 110A-C. The individual electrodes receiving the control signals 114 are also referred to herein as “zones” of a single electrode. Accordingly, in one embodiment, each electrode/zone has an associated one of the power supplies 108. It is noted, however, that while separate power supplies may be used, a single unit capable of producing multiple electrical signals of different voltage/current may also be used. Therefore, the term “power supplies” as used herein does not necessarily denote physically separate power supplies. Also, the number of power supplies and respective electrodes/zones may be varied.

In one embodiment, during processing of a given wafer on one of the polishing stations 110A-C, removal of material from the wafer is measured as charge. In one embodiment, charge is calculated by integrating current with respect to time. As such, each of the power supplies 108 may be configured with an integration unit 118 which integrates the current being provided by the respective power supply to electrode/zone of the polishing station. The output 120 (i.e., the charge per electrode/zone) of the integration units 118 is provided to the process control unit 112. Although shown as part of the power supplies 108, the integration units 118 may alternatively be part of the process control unit 112, or be separate units altogether. Each of the foregoing aspects will be described in more detail below.

Referring now FIG. 2, one embodiment of a process cell 200 is shown in side cross-section. The process cell 200 may be representative of a cell located at any one or all of the polishing stations 110A-C shown in FIG. 1. In particular, the polishing station 200 is a “face-down” polishing apparatus. However, embodiments using “face-up” polishing apparatus are also contemplated.

The process cell 200 generally includes a basin 204 and a polishing head 202. A substrate 208 is retained in the polishing head 202 and lowered into the basin 204 during processing in a face-down (e.g., backside up) orientation. An electrolyte is flowed into the basin 204 and in contact with the substrate's surface while the polishing head 202 places the substrate 208 in contact with a polishing article 203. In one embodiment, the substrate 208 and the polishing article 203 disposed in the basin 204 are moved relative to each other to provide a polishing motion (or motion that enhances plating uniformity). The polishing motion generally comprises at least one motion defined by an orbital, rotary, linear or curvilinear (e.g., sweep) motion, or combinations thereof, among other motions. The polishing motion may be achieved by moving either or both of the polishing head 202 and the basin 204. The polishing head 202 may be stationary or driven to provide at least a portion of the relative motion between the basin 204 and the substrate 208 held by the polishing head 202. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the polishing head 202 is coupled to a drive system 210. The drive system 210 moves the polishing head 202 with orbital, rotary, linear, or curvilinear (e.g., sweep) motions, or combinations thereof.

The polishing head 202 generally retains the substrate 208 during processing. In one embodiment, the polishing head 202 includes a housing 214 enclosing a bladder 216. The bladder 216 may be deflated when contacting the substrate to create a vacuum therebetween, thus securing the substrate to the polishing head 202. The bladder 216 may additionally be inflated to press the substrate in contact with the polishing article 203. A retaining ring 238 is coupled to the housing 214 and circumscribes the substrate 208 to prevent the substrate from slipping out from the polishing head 202 while processing. One polishing head that may be adapted to benefit from the invention is a TITAN HEAD™ carrier head available from Applied Materials, Inc., located in Santa Clara, Calif.

The basin 204 is generally fabricated from a plastic such as fluoropolymers, TEFLON® polymers, perfluoroalkoxy resin, PFA, polyethylene-based plastics, PE, sulfonated polyphenylether sulfones, PES, or other materials that are compatible or non-reactive with electrolyte compositions that may be used in electroplating or electropolishing. The basin 204 includes a bottom 244 and sidewalls 246. The sidewalls 246 of the basin 204 include a port 218 formed therethrough to allow removal of electrolyte from the basin 204. The port 218 is coupled to a valve 220 to selectively drain or retain the electrolyte in the basin 204.

The basin 204 is rotationally supported above a base 206 by bearings 234. A drive system 236 is coupled to the basin 204 and rotates the basin 204 during processing. A catch basin 228 is disposed on the base 206 and circumscribes the basin 204 to collect processing fluids, such as an electrolyte, that flow out of port 218 disposed through the basin 204 during and/or after processing.

The basin 204 defines housing for the polishing article 203 and an electrode assembly 209 which is disposed between the bottom 244 and the polishing article 203. In one embodiment, the polishing article 203 and the electrode 209 may be secured together forming a unitary body that facilitates removal and replacement. In embodiment, the polishing article 203 and the electrode 209 secured to one another by permanent means such as bonding. Alternatively, the polishing article 203 and the electrode 209 may be coupled by other techniques or combination thereof, including sewing, binding, heat staking, riveting, screwing and clamping among others. In still another embodiment the polishing article 203 is secured to a belt assembly which dispenses new (i.e., clean) pad material and takes up old (i.e., worn or contaminated) pad material.

As will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5, the electrode assembly 209 generally includes a plurality (e.g., at least two) of electrodes or zones. Each electrode is coupled to a lead 212A of one of the power supplies 108. The other lead 212B of each of the power supplies 108 is coupled to the polishing article 203, which is itself an electrode. For simplicity only one set of leads (positive and negative) is shown. Illustratively, the leads 212A-B are routed through a slip ring 226 disposed below the basin 204. The slip ring 226 facilitates continuous electrical connection between the power supplies 108 and the polishing article and electrode assembly 209 as the basin 204 rotates. The leads 212A-B may be wires, tapes or other conductors compatible with process fluids or having a covering or coating that protects the leads 212A-B from the process fluids. Examples of materials that may be utilized in the leads 212A-B include insulated copper, graphite, titanium, platinum, gold, and HASTELOY® materials among other materials. Coatings disposed around the leads 212A-B may include polymers such as fluorocarbons, PVC, polyamide, and the like.

In order to operate as electrode, the polishing article 203 is made at least partially conductive by the provision of conductive material disposed in the polishing article 203. In general, the base material of the polishing article 203 may itself be made conductive, or conductive elements may be disposed in a non-conductive base material such as polyurethane. Particular embodiments of the polishing article 203 are described below.

In one embodiment, the electrode assembly 209 communicates electrically with the substrate 208 via perforations 205 formed in the polishing article 203. Thus, in one embodiment, the ability of the electrode assembly 209 to affect electro-processing is determined, in part, by the presence and location of the perforations 205. Specifically, it is contemplated that, in at least one embodiment, electro-processing is effected substantially only in those locations of the wafer 208 “visible” to the electrode assembly 209 through the perforations 205. Relatedly, it is contemplated that the proximity of the electrode assembly 209 to the wafer 208 affects processing. Generally, a closer proximity is preferred. Accordingly, in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 2, the electrode assembly 209 is shown directly interfacing with the polishing article 203. However, the provision of intermediate materials between the electrode assembly 209 and the polishing article 203 is also contemplated.

An electrolyte delivery system 232 is generally disposed adjacent the basin 204. The electrolyte delivery system 232 includes a nozzle or outlet 230 coupled to an electrolyte source 242. The outlet 230 flows electrolyte or other processing fluid from the electrolyte source 242 to into the basin 204. During processing, the electrolyte generally provides an electrical path for biasing the substrate 208 and driving an electrochemical process to remove and/or deposit material on the substrate 208. Alternatively, the electrolyte delivery system may provide electrolyte through the bottom 244 of the process cell and flow electrolyte through the electrode assembly 209 and the perforations 205 of the polishing article 203 into contact with the substrate 208.

In operation, electrolyte is flowed into the basin 204 from the electrolyte delivery system 232. The electrolyte fills the basin 204 and is thus brought into contact with the wafer 208 and polishing article 203. To initiate electrochemical mechanical processing, potential differences are applied between the electrode assembly 209 and the conductive portion of the polishing article 203. The wafer 208 being in direct contact with the conductive portion of the polishing article 203 will then be at the same potential as the conductive portion. The current loop is then completed in the polishing station by transforming atomic wafer materials into ions in the electrolyte. Concurrent mechanical polishing of the wafer 208 is achieved by relative movement between the wafer and the polishing article 203. In one embodiment, polishing continues until reaching an endpoint, as determined by the process control unit 112. In at least one embodiment, “endpoint” refers to a point in time during a polishing cycle at which sufficient bulk metal has been removed from a wafer. Following detection of the endpoint, it may be necessary to continue polishing for a period of time in order to remove residual metal.

As noted above, the polishing article 203 is at least partially conductive. The conductivity of the polishing article may be accomplished in a variety of ways. Referring now to FIG. 3, one embodiment of the polishing article 203 is shown. In general, the polishing article 203 is a disk-shaped polishing pad 302 having a plurality of conductive elements 304 disposed thereon. For simplicity and clarity, the perforations 205 described above with reference to FIG. 2 are not shown. The polishing pad 302 may be made of polymeric materials, such as polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), or combinations thereof, and other polishing materials used in polishing wafer surfaces. An exemplary conventional material includes those found in the IC series of polishing media, for example polyurethane and polyurethane mixed with fillers, commercially available from Rodel Inc., of Phoenix, Ariz. The invention further contemplates the use of other conventional polishing materials, such as a layer of compressible material. The compressible material may include a conventional soft material, such as compressed felt fibers leached with urethane. Further, the use of abrasive materials embedded in the polishing pad is contemplated. The fixed abrasive particles may include conductive abrasive materials and/or nonconductive abrasive materials.

The conductive elements 304 are shown disposed in a symmetrical pattern at a central region of the polishing pad 302. The pattern shown in FIG. 3 is merely illustrative and other patterns may be used. In addition, the number of conductive elements 304 may be varied. In one embodiment, the conductive elements 304 are rigidly fixed in place. In another embodiment, the conductive elements 304 are rotatably disposed relative to the polishing pad 302 so that the conductive elements 304 may rotate over the surface of a wafer brought into contact with the conductive elements 304. A variety of embodiments are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/210,972, filed Aug. 2, 2002, entitled CONTACTS FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL PROCESSING, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Alternatively or additionally, the polishing article 203 is made conductive by making the polishing material itself of conductive material. The conductive polishing material may include conductive polymers, polymer composites with conductive materials, conductive metals, conductive fillers or conductive doping materials, or combinations thereof. Conductive polymers include polymeric materials that are intrinsically conductive, such as polyacetylene, polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDT), polyaniline, polypyrrole, and combinations thereof. The polymer composites with conductive materials may include polymer-noble metal hybrid materials. Polymer-noble metal hybrid materials that may be used as the conductive polishing material described herein are preferably chemically inert with a surrounding electrolyte, such as those with noble metals that are resistant to oxidation. An example of a polymer-noble metal hybrid material is a platinum-polymer hybrid material. The invention also contemplates the use of polymer-noble metal hybrid materials, which are chemically reactive with a surrounding electrolyte, when the polymer-noble metal hybrid material is insulated from a surrounding electrolyte by another material. Conductive metals that may be used as the polishing material are those metals that are preferably relatively inert to chemical reactions with the surrounding electrolyte. Platinum is an example of a conductive metal that may be used as the polishing material. The conductive metals may form a portion or the entire polishing surface of the polishing material. When forming a portion of the polishing surface, the conductive metals are typically disposed in a conventional polishing material.

The conductive polishing materials may further include conductive fillers or conductive doping materials disposed in a binder material, such as the conductive polymers described above or a conventional polishing material. Examples of conductive fillers include carbon powder, carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofoam, carbon aerogels, and combinations thereof. Carbon nanotubes are conductive hollow filaments of carbon material having a diameter in the nanometer size range. The conductive fillers or conductive doping materials are disposed in the binding material in an amount sufficient to provide a polishing medium having a desired conductivity. The binder material is typically a conventional polishing material.

Alternatively or additionally, the polishing article 203 may comprise a metal mesh disposed in the polishing material. The metal mesh may comprise a chemically inert conductive material, such as platinum. The metal mesh may also include materials that have been observed to react with the surrounding electrolyte, such as copper, if the metal mesh is chemically insulated from the electrolyte such as by a conformal layer of conventional material.

Other embodiments of conductive polishing pads which may be used to advantage are further described in U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 10/033,732, filed Dec. 27, 2001, entitled CONDUCTIVE POLISHING ARTICLE FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL MECHANICAL POLISHING and Ser. No. 10/140,010, filed May 7, 2002, entitled CONDUCTIVE POLISHING ARTICLE FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL MECHANICAL POLISHING, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

In any case, where the polishing article 203 is at least partially conductive, the polishing article 203 acts as an electrode in combination with a wafer during electro-processes. The electrode assembly 209 provides plurality of counter-electrodes to the polishing article 203. One embodiment of the electrode assembly 209 is shown in FIG. 4, now described.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the electrode assembly 209. The electrode assembly 209 generally includes a plurality of electrodes. Specifically, four electrodes 402A-D (collectively, electrodes 402) are shown, although the electrode assembly 209 may include any number of electrodes. Illustratively, the electrodes 402 are annular members. In particular, an innermost electrode 402A is a disk, while the other electrodes 402B-D are rings. However, the electrodes may more generally be any geometry. Further, the electrodes 402 are conductive member made of, for example, a metal. For electrochemical removal processes, such as anodic dissolution, the electrodes 402 may include a non-consumable material other than the deposited material, such as platinum for copper dissolution. However, the electrodes 402 can also be made of copper for copper polishing, if preferred. Anodic dissolution should be broadly construed and includes, but is not limited to, the application of an anodic bias to a wafer directly or indirectly which results in the removal of conductive material from a wafer surface and into a surrounding electrolyte solution.

It is noted that for simplicity some features of embodiments of the electrode assembly 209 are not shown. For example, in one embodiment, the contact elements 304 are disposed through the innermost electrode 402A. The openings to receive the contact elements 304 are not shown in FIG. 4. The electrodes are separated from one another by annular gaps 404A-D (collectively, gaps 404). In one embodiment, insulating material may be disposed in the annular gaps 404. In illustrative configuration, each electrode 402 defines a zone, which can be separately biased by respective power supply 108. Additional aspects in this regard may be described with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 shows a side cross-sectional exploded view of the electrode assembly 209 and the polishing article 203. For purposes of illustration the polishing head 202 is also shown carrying a wafer positioned in contact with the upper polishing surface of the polishing pad 302. To facilitate illustration, the individual electrodes 402 of the electrode assembly 209 are shown exploded relative to the polishing pad 302 and relative to one another (i.e., the size of the gaps 404 between electrodes 402 have been exaggerated). FIG. 5 shows a representative configuration of three power supplies 108A-C with respect to the electrodes 402. In general, the individual electrodes 402 of the electrode assembly 209 may be anodes or cathodes depending upon the positive bias (anode) or negative bias (cathode) applied between the electrodes 402 and the polishing article 203. For example, depositing material from an electrolyte on the wafer surface, the electrodes 402 act as anodes and the wafer surface and/or polishing article 203 acts as a cathode. When removing material from the wafer 208, such as by dissolution from an applied bias, the electrodes 402 function as a cathode and the wafer surface and/or polishing article 203 may act as an anode for the dissolution process. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrodes 402 are connected to the negative leads 512A of the power supplies 108A-C, while the positive lead 512B are connected to the contact elements 304. (While the positive lead 512B is shown connected to only one of the contact elements 304 for simplicity, is understood that each of the contact elements 304 may be commonly connected to the positive lead 512B.) The embodiment of FIG. 5 illustrates that two or more electrodes 402 may be connected to the same power supply, and therefore be maintained at the same bias during processing. In the present illustration, the innermost electrode 402A and the outer, middle electrode 402C are connected to the same power supply 108A, while the inner, middle electrode 402B and the outer electrode 402D are connected to their own respective power supplies 108B and 108C, respectively. In this respect, the four member electrode assembly 209 may be considered a three zone assembly.

Referring now to FIG. 6, one embodiment of the process control unit 112 is shown. Generally, the process control unit 112 includes a process model 602 and a control algorithm 604. In general, the process model 602 describes a process environment. In operation, the process model 602 receives various model inputs 606. Based on the various model inputs 606, the process model 602 generates a target charge value for each zone defined by the electrode assembly 209 (the target charge values are collectively shown in FIG. 6 as the target charge values 618). In one embodiment, the model inputs 606 include a desired removal profile 608, a charge-removal relationship 610 and operations/cell parameters 612. The desired removal profile 608 describes a profile of the material to be removed from a wafer. In one embodiment, the desired removal profile is the simple arithmetic difference between a measured profile 614 (e.g., measured by the profile measurement station 102 shown in FIG. 1) and a desired profile 616, which may be user selected. The charge-removal relationship 610 describes a relationship between the amount of charge removed from a wafer and the thickness of material removed. The charge-removal relationship 610 is particular to a process and wafer type. Thus, a plurality of such relationships may be stored in a storage device and retrieved as needed. The operations/cell parameters 612 describe various aspects of the manner in which a wafer is processed and the cell in which the wafer is being processed and which may have an impact on the resulting removal profile of the wafer. Illustrative operations/cell parameters 612 include process parameters, electrode geometry, and polishing article construction. Process parameters may include, for example, platen rotation speed (i.e., rotation of the basin 204 in FIG. 2), head rotation speed (i.e., rotation speed of the polishing head 202 in FIG. 2), and sweep range and frequency. “Sweep” refers to the translation motion of the head along a radius of the platen (i.e., the bottom of the basin 204. With reference to construction of the electrode assembly 209 of FIG. 4, for example, electrode geometry refers to the geometry of the various electrodes 402 which make up the electrode assembly 209. Parameters pertaining to the polishing article construction include, for example, the geometry of the polishing pad (such as the polishing pad 302 shown in FIG. 3) and the placement of the contact elements (such as the contact elements 304 shown in FIG. 3). Additional aspects of the process model 602 and its inputs will be described in more detail below.

The target charge values 618 calculated by the process model 602 are provided as input to the control algorithm 604. In one embodiment, the control algorithm 604 receives additional control inputs 620, which may be operator selected. Illustrative control inputs include the total process time, the number of process steps and the like. The control algorithm 604 then generates a control signal (collectively, control signals 114) for each zone defined by the electrode assembly 209. The control signals 114 are provided to the respective one of the power supplies 108. The control signals 114 may be configured to, for example, control current or voltage for the respective zone. Accordingly, the power supplies 108 produce corresponding electrical signals 622 for the respective zones. In addition, the charge removed per zone is calculated by each integration unit 118 of the power supplies 108. The calculated charge per zone values 624 are fed back to the control algorithm 604. The control algorithm 604 then compares the calculated charge per zone values 624 to the respective target charge values 618. That is, the control algorithm 604 compares a calculated charge value for a particular zone to the corresponding target charge value for that zone. When the calculated charge value exceeds the corresponding target charge value, the bias for that zone is terminated. When each of the biases has been terminated, the electro-process is complete. Thus, in one aspect, the process control unit 112 provides for endpoint detection. In another aspect, the calculated charge values for each zone can be used to generate and display the profile of a wafer in real time.

It is noted that the control algorithm 604 can implement the control signals 114 according to any variety of functions depending, at least in part, on the control inputs 620. In one embodiment, the voltage in each zone is fixed. The voltage in each zone is then independently terminated once the target charge is achieved. The voltage in each zone may be selected according to parameters which include removal rate, planarization capability, surface roughness, defect count, etc. In another embodiment, the polishing time is fixed. In this case, the voltage for each zone is modulated (i.e. changed with respect to time) so that the target charge is met for each zone when the predefined polishing time expires. While the former embodiment provides simplicity, the latter embodiment allows better control of the step time. In some embodiments, a zone voltage may be zero or negative, while other contemporaneous zone voltages are positive. It is also contemplated that the voltages may be applied prior to any mechanical polishing, during mechanical polishing and/or after mechanical polishing. Persons skilled in the art will recognize other embodiments.

By way of example only, FIGS. 7-10 show illustrative incoming profiles 700, 800, 900, and 1000, respectively. The profiles are plotted on an x-y graph, where the x-axis is the wafer radius in inches and the y-axis is thickness in angstroms. The removal profiles should match these profiles in order to achieve the desired target profile. The charge values for each of the removal profiles are given in corresponding tables 702, 802, 902 and 1002. In particular, charge values are given for an outer zone, a middle zone and a center zone. The cathode geometry used was substantially similar to that shown in FIG. 4, in which zone 1 (defined by the innermost electrode 402A) and zone 3 (defined by the outer middle electrode 402C) were held at the same voltage. Accordingly, zone 1 and zone 3 are collectively referred to in FIGS. 7-10 as the “middle” zone. The “outer” zone corresponds to zone 4 and the “center” zone corresponds to zone 2 of the electrode assembly 209 shown in FIG. 4.

Charge-Removal Relationship

As noted above, the process model 602 receives as an input a charge-removal relationship. In one embodiment, the charge-removal relationship is determined empirically, by periodically measuring (e.g., by sheet resistance measurements) the amount of material removed from a wafer being polished. Alternatively, the current may be measured for a series of wafers processed at different conditions (e.g., slightly different polishing times, voltage biases, etc.). In this manner, a calibration curve can be acquired. One such calibration curve 1100 is shown in FIG. 11. In this case, 9 wafers (1 per data point and 3 per zone in a three-zone electrode arrangement) were polished under different conditions and the average current was recorded. The thicknesses of the wafers were measured before and after the polishing cycle to determine the average amount of material removed. The calibration curve (expressed as y=348.7x+192.35) exhibits a linear relationship between the Removal (given in angstroms and shown on the y-axis) and the Charge (given in amperes*minutes and shown on the x-axis) and allows for the prediction (by extrapolation) of removal for a given current. Additional embodiments for determining such a relationship are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/391,324, filed Mar. 18, 2003, entitled PROCESS CONTROL IN ELECTRO-CHEMICAL MECHANICAL POLISHING, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, to the extent not inconsistent with the present embodiments.

In a particular embodiment, a charge-removal relationship may be determined by polishing a plurality of test material layers using a process cell such as the process cell 200 of FIG. 2. The test material layers may be polished according to a specific set of instructions that may include a relative motion between a polishing pad and a wafer. The relative motion may be, for example, linear, curvilinear, rotational, orbital, or combinations thereof. A test bias, V_(t) is then applied between the test material layer and the counter electrodes of the electrode assembly 209. The test bias, V_(t), may be applied such that a substantially uniform potential is generated across the counter electrodes with respect to the surface to be polished. The bias may be applied to the test material layer using, for example, a pad such as the pad 302 described above in FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a top perspective view of a substrate 1204 shows a first test material layer 1205 formed thereon. Similarly, FIG. 13 shows a second substrate 1304 having a second test material layer 1305 formed thereon. The first test material layer 1205 is polished by applying a first test bias such as a uniform test bias across the test material layer 1205 relative to the counter electrodes of the electrode assembly 209.

After polishing the test material layer 1205 for a pre-determined period of time (a first polishing time), the substrate 1204 is, for example, removed from the process cell 100 and an amount of material removed from the test material layer 1205 is then measured. The amount of material removed may be determined, for example, using conventional methods of measuring layer thicknesses, such as sheet resistance (Rs) measurements. Alternatively, the amount of material removed may be measured using electron microscopy, or similar methods for analyzing thickness and composition of material layers. The material removal may be determined by measuring a thickness 1280 of the test material layer 1205 before polishing and the thickness 1280 after polishing. The thickness 1280 may be measured at a first point 1220. Additional thickness measurements of the first test material layer 1205 may be taken at one or more additional points 122 in order to obtain a statistically representative value for material removal. Alternatively, a property other than thickness may be measured. For example, a mass of material removed or a material removal rate may be measured directly or indirectly. The one or more additional points 1222 on the test material layer 1205 may be chosen such that the points lie within a region or zone of the test material layer 1205 that experiences a relatively uniform rate of polishing (material removal). For example, the first point 1220 and the additional points 122 may be chosen such that they all lie in an intermediate region 1216 of the test material layer 1205. Alternatively, the first point 1220 and the additional points 122 may be chosen such that they each are a distance from a center 1230 of the test material layer 1205 that is substantially the same. A first rate of material removal may be determined by, for example, dividing mass or thickness of the material removed by the first polishing time.

The second test material layer 1305 may be polished using the same geometry and configuration of the process cell as for the polishing of the first test material layer 1205. The second test material layer 1305 may be polished to a thickness 1380 by applying a second bias applied to the second test material layer 1305. Thereafter, the step of determining material removal may be performed for one or more points 1320 on the second test material layer 1305. Furthermore, the process of determining removal rate may be repeated for additional test material layers (not shown), if desired.

The one or more points 1320 on the test material layer 1305 may lie, for example, within an intermediate region 1316. The intermediate region 1316 may have a similar shape and define a similar range of distances from a center 1330 of the material layer 1305 as is defined by the intermediate region 1216 with respect to the center 1230.

By matching the material removal from each test material layer 1205, 1305 with the corresponding charge (current integrated over time) removed from the test material layer, a relationship between material removed and charge may be determined. The relationship thus determined may be relevant for a specific configuration of the process cell, including a specific polishing composition as well as specific composition of material layer. The relationship may be a linear relationship, an exponential relationship, or any other relationship. Further, it is recognized that blanket wafers will exhibit a different charge-removal relationship than patterned wafers.

Trajectory Simulation

As noted above, the process model 602 also receives as input, operations/cell parameters 612, which may include process parameters, electrode geometry (i.e., the geometry of the various electrodes 402 which make up the electrode assembly 209 as illustrated in FIG. 4), and polishing article construction. In general, the operations/cell parameters 612 are those parameters necessary to simulate a trajectory of points on a wafer. For each point of the wafer, the amount of time affected by each of the electrodes of the electrode assembly 209 can be calculated. In one aspect, a point is affected by an electrode while in direct facing relationship with the electrode via a perforation in the polishing pad (e.g., one of the perforations 205 of the polishing pad 203 shown in FIG. 2. However, the presence of a contact element on the polishing pad (e.g. one of the contact element 304 shown in FIG. 3) may interfere with the interaction between electrode/zone and the point on the wafer. Hence, a point is considered to be affected by an electrode when the electrode is “visible” from the perspective of the point via a perforation.

Referring now to FIG. 14, one illustration of simulated point trajectories is shown. Specifically, FIG. 14 shows the electrode assembly 209 FIG. 4 and three traces that represent the trajectories of three separate points on a wafer. Only three points are shown for simplicity. In practice, however, the trajectories for a plurality of points would be measured. A first trace 1402 corresponds to a center point on the wafer, a second trace 1404 corresponds to a middle point on the wafer and a third trace 1406 corresponds to an edge point on the wafer. The traces are computer-generated according to a simulation based on the shape of the zones and the relative movement between the wafer and the zones. In addition to the actual path of a wafer point relative to the electrode zones, the time spent affected by each zone is determined according to the simulation by accounting for the relative rotation speeds of the platen and head, the sweep range and frequency and the location of obstructions (e.g., contact element) between the wafer points and the electrodes. The fraction of time spent by a point, j, in front of a counter-electrode, i, is denoted p_(ij).

One graphical representation of the time spent in the various zones is given in FIG. 15. In particular, three curves represent the time spent by various points on a diameter of the wafer in three separate zones: a central zone, a middle zone, and an edge zone. The zones were defined by concentric electrodes arranged similarly to those shown in FIG. 4. The wafer points are represented on the x-axis (in this illustration the wafer was a 300 mm wafer) and the percent of the total time a point spent in a given zone is represented on the y-axis. A first curve 1500 represents the time wafer points spent in the central zone, a second curve 1502 represents the time wafer points spent in the middle zone and a third curve 1504 represents the time wafer points spent in the edge zone. Note that although points in a central part of the wafer (e.g., between about −50 mm and +50 mm) may spend their entire time in the center zone, the first curve (corresponding to the center zone) does not reach 100 percent. This characteristic is due to obstructions to the points' view of the electrode which defines the center zone. As noted above, a point may only experience a bias when disposed over a perforation in the polishing pad, thereby giving the point a view to the electrode. Further, a point's view may be periodically obstructed by a contact element on the polishing pad.

Process Model Generation

The empirically determined charge-removal relationship and the trajectory simulation are combined to relate to charge in each zone to the removal at each wafer point. Based on the trajectory simulation, the average area of the wafer, A_(i), affected by the i^(th) counter-electrode can be determined. Assuming that the current density is uniform across a zone, i.e., that the voltage drop across the wafer is negligible, the charge-removal relationship in any given zone, R_(i), can be computed as follows: R _(i) =a*A _(w) /A _(i) *C _(i) +b   (Equation 1) In Equation 1, a is the slope the mathematical expression of the relationship between charge and removal, A_(w) is the plated area of the wafer, C_(i) is the charge of the i^(th) electrode and b is the intercept of the mathematical expression of the relationship between charge and removal.

The removal at each point becomes the average of the removal of each zone weighted by the amount of time the point spent in front of each zone, as given by: R _(j)=sum(i)(p _(ij) R _(i))   (Equation 2)

The process model described above can be summarized in the form of a transfer function taking as input the charge in each zone, C, and generating as output the removal profile R (i.e., the profile of the material to be removed). The charge in each zone, C, is represented by a vector with N components, where N is the number of zones. The removal profile, R, is represented by a vector with n components, where n is the number of sample points chosen on the wafer. Based on the process model described above, the transfer function is essentially linear and can be written as: R=AC+B,   (Equation 3) where A is a n×N matrix and A_(ij)=p_(ij)(a*A_(w)*A_(i)), and B is a (n×1) vector and Bi=b. Thus, the transfer function relates the removal profile to the charge per zone (i.e., the charge read on each channel of the power supply).

It is noted that the process model described above is a “physical” model in that the model accounts for physical parameters in a simulation. However, the process model 602 may be generated in a variety of ways. For example, the model 602 may be a statistical model based on calibration wafers (i.e., the best fit based on x charges, where x is the number of zones).

In any case, the process model 602 calculates a target charge per zone. If Pin is the incoming profile (provided by the profile measurement station 102) and the Pdes is the desired profile, the process model 602 can implement an optimization with respect to the achievable profile. In one embodiment the optimization is a least square interpolation. Although the optimization may not be uniquely described, specific implementations are contemplated. For example, one optimization is to minimize the standard deviation between the final profile, Pfin, and the desired profile, Pdes. This optimization may be described as: minimize stddev(Pin-(AC+B)-Pdes). Another optimization is to minimize the maximum deviation between Pfin and Pdes. This optimization may be described as minimize maxdevPin-(AC+B)-Pdes). Using such approaches (and others which will be recognized by those skilled in the art) the optimal values for the target charges per zone can be determined prior to processing a wafer. The power supplies for the respective zones are then controlled to ensure that the target charges are reached.

EXAMPLE

A counter-electrode assembly, such as the counter-electrode assembly 209 was divided into five zones: an inner zone, an inner-central zone, a central zone, an outer-central zone and an outer zone (Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4 and Z5) respectively. The zones were arranged in a concentric circular manner similar to the zones depicted for the electrode assembly 209 shown in FIG. 4. Each of the zones was capable of receiving a separate bias with respect to a material layer of a wafer to be polished. One hundred twenty one points, representing a broad sampling of various locations on the material layer were selected. A pre-determined set of instructions (i.e., a polishing program) that encoded a sequence of relative motion between the counter-electrode (as well as the polishing article) and the material layer of a wafer to be processed was provided to a computer (e.g., the computer 106). An algorithm based on the polishing program was used to determine the sequence of relative positions between the material layer and the individual counter-electrodes of the electrode assembly as a function of time throughout the polishing process. The algorithm calculated the location of each point relative to the five zones of the counter-electrodes for each of a total of 2400 instants in time (time steps). The algorithm also calculated the number of time steps each point was associated with each of the five zones (e.g., the number of times the point would be facing or under each of the zones). For a first order approximation, it is assumed that for embodiments in which the process cell comprises a pad, a point on the material layer only experiences a bias when facing a perforation in the pad. It is also, assumed that a point does not experience a bias when directly below a contact element on the pad (i.e., when the point's view of an opposing electrode is obscured by a contact element).

Based upon the program to be used to polish the material layer, the algorithm determined that a first point in the center of the material layer was associated with Z2 for 1080 time steps (i.e. 45% of the total number of time steps), associated with Z1, Z3, Z4, Z5 for 0 time steps, and associated with none of the zones (i.e., the point was not under a perforation in the pad and/or the point was under a contact element, and therefore zero bias was experienced by the point) for the remaining 1320 time steps. Therefore, for 45% of time, point A was associated with Z2, and the expected removal would be 0.45×R2, where R2 is the total removal contributed by Z2.

From the algorithm it was further determined that a second point B, away from the center of the material layer) was associated with Z2 for 570 time steps (or 23.75% of the total number of time steps), associated with Z3 for 774 time steps (or 32.35% of the total number of time steps), and associated with no zones for 1056 time steps. The expected removal for point B is therefore given by an average of the removals for Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, and Z5, weighted by the percentage of the time spent in each zone. Expressed in mathematical terms, the expected removal for point B is given by the mathematical expression, [0.2375×R2]+[0.3235×R3], where R3 is the total removal contributed by Z3.

The algorithm further calculated the expected removal rate for the remainder of the 121 points on the material layer in a similar manner. Specifically, for each point an expected removal rate was calculated as [P1×R1]+[P2×R2]+[P3×R3]+[P4×R4]+[P5×R5]. P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 are the percentages of time that the particular point was associated with the zones Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, and Z5 respectively.

The material layer to be polished had a non-uniform initial profile, Pin. A desired removal profile, Rdes, was calculated as Pin−Pdes, where Pdes is the selected desired profile. A least-squares regression was performed to optimize the values for R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 such that the actual removal profile, Ract, of the material layer after polishing would closely match the desired removal profile, Rdes. The optimal biases to be applied to each of the zones was then determined using a pre-determined (linear) relationship between removal and charge. The resultant removal profile was similar to the desired removal profile.

Conclusion

In various embodiments, advantages in electro-processing may be achieved. In some cases, these advantages may be substantial improvements over the prior art. Some of these advantages are now described. However, whether or not an embodiment achieves an advantage and whether or not such an advantage may be considered a substantial improvement is not limiting of the invention. Therefore, the advantages described below do not define or limit the invention, which is limited only by the claims that follow.

In one aspect, calibration requirements are eliminated. Conventionally, thickness measurement is performed by eddy current probes. The eddy current probe measures a current and then correlates the measured value to thickness. In order to ensure accurate measurements the probe must be calibrated for pad wear and changes between different wafer types. Such calibration requirements may be eliminated by some embodiments of the invention. As a result, successful process monitoring and endpoint detection according to embodiments of the invention are independent of pad wear.

In another aspect, good spatial resolution is achieved. Spatial resolution using eddy current probes is limited to the width of the probe (e.g., ¼ inch). Because embodiments of the invention do not rely on such intrusive devices, superior resolution is achieved.

In another aspect, embodiments of the invention are not restricted to wafers having a minimal thickness. In contrast, eddy current probes are limited in their ability to provide accurate measurements for thicknesses less than, for example, 2000 angstroms.

In another aspect, thickness measurements are not corrupted by interference from other metal levels on a wafer. In contrast, adjacent metal levels can interfere with measurements taken by eddy current probes.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow. 

1. A method for processing a substrate to achieve a target profile by electropolishing, comprising: determining a pre-processing profile for the substrate; determining a desired removal profile by determining a difference between the pre-processing profile and the target profile; electropolishing the substrate to selectively remove different amounts of conductive material from the substrate according to the desired removal profile; determining an amount of charge removed from a plurality of locations on the substrate; determining a thickness of material removed from the substrate for each of the plurality of locations on the basis of each amount of charge removed at each of the plurality of locations; and terminating the electropolishing when the desired removal profile is substantially achieved according to the determined thickness of material removed.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein electropolishing the substrate comprises generating a relative motion between the substrate and at least two independently biased zones corresponding to at least two independently biasable electrodes.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the relative motion is one of an orbital, rotary, linear, curvilinear, and the combinations thereof.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the amount of charge removed and determining the thickness are performed periodically.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a real-time view of a profile of the substrate.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein electropolishing is performed in a process cell comprising at least two electrodes each defines a zone, and electropolishing comprises applying a different bias to each of the at least two electrodes during at least part of the electropolishing.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein determining the amount of charge removed from the plurality of locations on the substrate comprises determining, for each zone defined by each of the at least two electrodes, a total amount of charge removed from the substrate as a result of the bias for that zone.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein determining the amount of charge removed for the plurality of locations on the substrate comprises: determining, for each zone defined by each of the at least two electrodes, a total amount of charge removed from the substrate.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein determining the amount of charge removed from the plurality of locations on the substrate comprises: (a) determining, for each zone defined by each of the at least two electrodes, a total amount of charge removed from the substrate as a result of the bias for the zone; (b) determining an amount of time each of the plurality of locations spends being affected by each zone; and (c) calculating a weighted average for each of the plurality of locations on the basis of at least (a) and (b).
 10. A method for producing a desired profile on a substrate by electro-processing, comprising: determining, for the substrate, a removal profile to obtain the desired profile; contacting the substrate with a polishing article having conductive material, wherein the polishing article is at least partially in contact with an electrolyte solution; applying a first bias to the substrate by applying the first bias between the conductive material of the polishing article and a first electrode in contact with the electrolyte solution; applying a second bias to the substrate by applying the second bias between the conductive material of the polishing article and a second electrode in contact with the electrolyte solution, the second bias being different from the first bias; electro-processing the substrate under the influence of the first and second bias to selectively change a thickness of a conductive material on the substrate; determining an amount of charge removed from the substrate by each electrode; and terminating the electro-processing when the desired profile is substantially achieved according to the determined amount of charge removed and the removal profile.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the removal profile comprises: determining a pre-processing profile of the substrate; and determining a difference between the pre-processing profile and the desired profile.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein terminating the electro-processing comprises terminating the first and second biases when a target amount of charge is removed for each respective electrode.
 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising applying a third bias to the substrate by applying the third bias between the conductive material of the polishing article and a third electrode in contact with the electrolyte solution, the third bias being different from the first bias and the second bias.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the amount of charge removed from the substrate by each electrode comprises integrating, with respect to time, a respective current provided to each electrode.
 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising, prior to electro-processing the substrate, determining a target amount of charge to be removed for each of the first and second biases, and wherein terminating the electro-processing comprises terminating the first and second biases when the respective target amount of charge is removed from each bias.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein determining the target amount of charge to be removed for each of the first and second biases comprises accounting for an amount of time a given location of the substrate is affected by each electrode.
 17. A method for determining an endpoint of a polishing cycle for a substrate, comprising: providing at least a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein at least first and second electrodes are at least partially in contact with an electrolyte; positioning the substrate in contact with a polishing article at least partially in contact with the electrolyte, wherein the polishing article comprises conductive material on a polishing surface; electropolishing one or more conductive materials on the substrate by biasing each of the first and second electrodes at different bias levels relative to the conductive material of the polishing article to effect different removal rates of material from the substrate; determining whether the endpoint of the polishing cycle for the substrate is reached, the determining comprising: determining an amount of charge removed from the substrate by each electrode; and determining whether each amount of charge removed from the substrate equals a target charge value for the respective electrode.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein determining whether the endpoint of the polishing cycle for the substrate is reached further comprising individually terminating a bias to each of the electrodes when the amount of charge removed from the substrate by the respective electrode equals the target charge value for the respective electrode.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein determining the amount of charge removed from the substrate by each electrode comprises measuring a total current provided by the respective electrode to the substrate over time.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the target charge value for each electrode is determined at least in part according to a pre-determined relationship between charge and a thickness of material removed.
 21. The method of claim 17, further comprising continuing to polish the substrate for a period of time after detecting the endpoint for the polishing cycle.
 22. The method of claim 17, further comprising causing a relative motion between the substrate and the polishing article during the electropolishing.
 23. The method of claim 17, wherein electropolishing comprises removing at least a portion of the one or more conductive materials by electrochemical activity. 